IDE Midlands Regional Meeting Report

The IDE regional meeting, sponsored by AR Demolition, held last night at Old Silhillians Rugby Club was well supported with 16 members and 5 guests in attendance.

Those present heard presentations from:-

* Richard Dolman (AR Demolition) who spoke about managing non ferrous scrap.

* Holmbury Hydraulics who spoke about hydraulic hose connection solutions.

* John Woodward who spoke about current HSE “Hot Topics” during site visits.

The presentations led to questions from the floor and lively debate around a number of the HSE issues.

Past President John Law was present at the meeting, having flown in from Cyprus immediately prior to the meeting, and he joined Richard & John on the podium for the presentations.

The meeting closed at 6.30 with an excellent curry and drinks sponsored by AR Demolition.

The next Midlands regional meetings, venues to be confirmed, are on:-

Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 5.00pm.

Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 5.00pm.

Another speaking engagement for John Woodward

John Woodward is to speak to the West & North Yorkshire Construction Safety Organisation on Thursday 9th July at 13.30 in the Masonic Hall, 1, Ackworth Road, Pontefract, Yorkshire, WF8 3PA.

John will be speaking about the following:-

* What you must do before starting demolition.
* North Sea Oil Rig demolition.
* Explosive demolition of tower blocks.

The meeting is open to all so please call in if you are in the area.

The latest news from the British Safety Council

Below are the latest articles from British Safety Council's safe:view newsletter:

Work-related deaths, injuries and ill-health cost the world $1.25trillion every year
A report, 'The Causes and Incidence of Occupational Accidents and Ill-Health Across the Globe', published by the British Safety Council, estimates that approximately 6,000 people around the world are dying every day from work-related accidents or illnesses. That is 2.2 million every year - the equivalent of a small country being wiped out annually.

Saving money on safety can be expensive
Merseyside companies urged not to ignore health and safety warnings. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took the decision to prosecute a chemical factory in Newton-le-Willows, for persistent failings and putting employees at risk of serious harm to their health and safety. The company was ordered to pay nearly £55,000.

Britain's latest fatal injuries figures 'at record low'
The number of people killed at work in Britain has fallen to a record low, new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal however, it is important to note that although there is a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries, the year-on-year improvement has become less marked in recent years.

Millions of pounds worth safety documents will be available for free
Authoritative guidance about how to protect employees from workplace dangers is to be given away free from september this year by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The publications cover the full range of HSE's guidance as well as Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) and guidance on regulations.

A Gap Year with a Difference
120 children in Ghana have received vital health and safety awareness training thanks to a British Safety Council initiative. The BSC trained a group of Gap Year students so that they could not only look after their own health and safety while abroad, but could also spread the health and safety message to children in some of the world's poorest regions.

Build on your existing NEBOSH Qualification
NEBOSH has unitised the syllabuses for all its Certificate-level qualifications, which gives you the opportunity to build on your existing NEBOSH health and safety qualification. 90% of all candidates who passed the NEBOSH National General Certificate with the British Safety Council achieved either a credit or distinction.

BSC to Expand its Portfolio of NEBOSH Qualifications
The British Safety Council is expected to start delivering two new NEBOSH certificate level courses - the NEBOSH National Construction Certificate (NCC) and the Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate (FSRM) in the coming months.

Get up-to-date and accurate information with Safety Management
Safety Management magazine is one of the most widely read publications in the health and safety world. This month it features articles on testing of portable electrical appliances, the HSE's new strategy for health and safety, a move by HSE to make all safety documents free, and eyesight test for DSE users.

Working at height - the most common cause of fatal injury at work
Falls from height have been the subject of numerous Health and Safety Executive cases and campaigns and remain the most common cause of fatal injury at work. To know about Working at Height Legislation, Safety requirements, Training inputs and Employers' and Employees' duties visit SafetyNetwork.

Avoid potential financial losses by creating workplace H&S awareness
Guides are published monthly (July/August combined) and are designed to help maintain safety attitudes and develop a safety culture in the workplace. Each guide concentrates on an individual topic in a simple, well-illustrated and readable format.

NFDC/NDTG adds another Quick Hitch Training date

From the NFDC website:

Following an unprecedented level of demand for places on its Quick Hitch training course that is scheduled to take place at Resurhgam House on 28 July, the NFDC/NDTG has been forced to add another date.

Having sold out its first course in a matter of hours, the NDTG has set up a second course for 14 August 2009.

Anyone requiring further details should call Clair on Tel: 01442 217144 or email her at:clair@demolition-nfdc.com

Death caused by exposure to asbestos

At the end of last month the British Safety Council highlighted a case where an electrician lost his life due to exposure to asbestos while rewiring a police station. His widow received £250,000 compensation.

Here's the detail from the British Safety Council post:

The 64-year-old man from Trowbridge was exposed to asbestos while working as an electrical fitter for Southern Electrical Contracting Limited.

The man was diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in March 2008 and died just five months later.

Before he died, he described how he came into contact with asbestos when rewiring Frome Police Station. In a recorded statement he said,

“I remember clearly that we had to work in cramped conditions. As a result we knocked and leaned against the asbestos lagged piping which meant parts would break off. We did not have any protective equipment but there was asbestos dust everywhere.”

Following his diagnosis, he contacted his union Unite which instructed its lawyers to investigate the claim. Thompsons Solicitors brought the case to a conclusion for compensation of £250,000 and the man’s widow, who does not wish to be named, received the compensation with the former employer, Southern Electrical Contracting Limited, admitting negligently exposing the man to asbestos during the 1970s.

Asbestos will continue to be a substance contractors have to deal with for many years to come. We run regular training sessions called Asbestos & Demolition Safety Awareness which ensure you have the knowledge required to work with asbestos while you and your staff remain safe at all times.

The next Asbestos & Demolition Safety Awareness course runs on the 17th July. Contact Harpreet for details and further dates.

IDE Manchester Roadshow is a great success

The IDE Manchester Roadshow was hailed as a great success by all of those present on Friday.

Thirty six delegates listened to presentations from John Campbell, Margaret Pears, Phil Jones, Terry Quarmby and John Woodward on a number of subjects that are of concern to demolition engineers today.

Those delegates who stayed overnight before the event enjoyed drinks outside in the warm weather in Manchester and the opportunity to enjoy the sights of the city and the excellent variety of food on offer.

The IDE return to Manchester in Spring 2010 for a major seminar and we suggest, if finances permit, that you try to both attend the seminar and enjoy a weekend in a vibrant interesting city.

Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations Awareness

This half-day course provides delegates involved in the construction/demolition process with an understanding of the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations. It incorporates the changes introduced by the 2007 Regulations.

This course is designed to provide delegates with a good understanding of the general Health & Safety requirements under the law and how these apply to themselves and other parties involved in the construction industry.

The roles and responsibilities of the Customers, Designer, CDM Co-ordinator, Principal Contractor and Sub-Contractors under CDM are given extensive coverage. 

Upon completion of the course delegates will:
- Have an improved awareness of their company’s criminal and civil liabilities

- Be aware of the company’s liabilities regarding contractors

- Have a better understanding of the problems faced by the various parties involved in the CDM process

- Have a good understanding of methods for identifying ‘Competent Contractors’

If you wish to book place(s) on the next course on 14 July 2009, please contact Harpreet as soon as possible.

IDE Midlands Regional Meeting Wednesday 8th July

The IDE Midlands Regional Meeting is being held this Wednesday 8th July.

There will be presentations on the following:-

5.00pm Welcome from John Woodward and Richard Dollman

5.10pm “Managing Non Ferrous Recovery” – Richard Dollman.

5.30pm “Hose connector issues” – Holmbury Hydraulics.

5.45pm “HSE campaigns 2009-2010” – John Woodward,

6.15pm “Any other business”.

6.30pm Refreshments – Curry sponsored by AR Demolition.

7.00pm Meeting closed.